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Child and Family Agency

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 May 2022

Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Questions (200)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

200. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the official procedure for Tusla giving instructions to foster carers; if instructions are to be made in writing and not just verbally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23559/22]

View answer

Written answers

To reply to the Deputy's question my Department requested information from Tusla. They have informed us of the following:

Tusla does not have any policy which indicates if ‘instructions’ are to be provided in writing, or verbally, to Foster Carers. It is Tusla's intention that Foster Carers are as considered key partners in care planning and decision-making, for the children and young people in their care, but the agency understands that is not the experience of all Foster Carers at this time. During recent engagements with Foster Carers, Tusla has heard from Foster Carers who have had positive experiences of Care Planning, where they have received copies of the child or young person’s care plan, and others where they have not. Foster Carers have also informed Tusla that there is information that they would like to receive in writing, such as information on their entitlements, how to access services, or approaches to positive engagement with the children and young people in their care, and Tusla is now working to develop this information and ensure consistency in approach. Tusla are currently finalising a Strategic Plan for Foster Care 2022-2025. The ambition of this plan is to ensure that Tusla implements the recommendations, based on feedback from internal and external stakeholders including Foster Carers, to promote a partnership approach and to ensure consistency in service provision, including those issues raised in the Deputy's correspondence.Should the Deputy have any specific information in relation to concerns raised by Foster Carers in relation to how they were communicated with, or received instructions, or whereby Foster Carers are experiencing challenges in this regard, Tusla would welcome further information and the opportunity to address these inconsistencies with these Foster Carers.

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